Andor Season 1

Andor, Season 1 (Tony Gilroy, 2022)

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Rating: DSQ=12, SP=8 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=4, Scale D=4, Scale E=4

Such a dramatic and powerful show. I had spine-tingling moments and so much tension! I loved every episode. Andor is, in my opinion, the best Star Wars show yet. I might even like this more than any of the films. But Andor is a very different kind of experience--this is not about superheroes, fantasy, or escape. This show is realism and it is dark, scary, and disturbing. The universe of Andor is eerily reminiscent of the darkest points in human history and present--showing us what facism and dictatorship allow. It shows the Star Wars fans what the average person living in the Empire would have experienced. And it is frightening. 

All the actors, especially Diego Luna and Denise Gough and Andy Serkis, make this show absolutely riveting. Can't wait for the next series. So much more to know and see!

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Star Wars Universe, Epic

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SPECIAL: Jean Pierre Jeunet Films Ranked

Earlier this year I thought I'd do another special list since it is fun to immerse yourself in the world of one director. It took me a while due to trouble finding some of them, but this time I decided to watch all films by Jean Pierre Jeunet. One of Jeunet's films, Amelie, has been in my top ten for twenty years now. It's that old already? Oh my. This was an excellent excuse to re-watch it and all his other great stories. Here's the complete list of all Jeunet's feature films, followed by my rankings:

• Delicatessen (1991)
• The City of Lost Children (1995)
• Alien Resurrection (1997)
• Amélie (2001)
• A Very Long Engagement (2004)
• Micmacs (2009)
• The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet (2013)

#1 Amelie (2001)
Rating: Q=7, P=8 / Obsession
Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=4
Yes, it's still my favorite.

#2 Micmacs (2009)

Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Obsession
Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=4

Micmacs is such a close second to Amelie. This film is brilliant!

#3 The City of Lost Children (1995)

Rating: Q=7, P=4 / Can't Get Enough
Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

#4 Delicatessen (1991)
Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ
Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

#5 The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet (2013)
Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ
Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

*#6 A Very Long Engagement (2004)
Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ
Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

#7 Alien Resurrection (1997)
Rating: Q=6, P=4 / Average OJ
Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

*I was unable to watch this one--couldn't find it. My rating is based on my original viewing.

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Cyberpunk Edgerunners Season 1

Cyberpunk Edgerunners Season 1 (Hiroyuki Imaishi, 2022)

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Anime, Sci-Fi, Action, Drama

Rating: AQ=8, AP=10 / Drooling

Scale O=4, Scale P=4, Scale Q=3, Scale R=3, Scale S=4

This show is vibrant, absorbing, strange, and wonderful. I love it. The animation is superb--some of the most beautiful images I've seen in a while. Studio Trigger is amazing. I don't run to watch the newest anime, but I have thoroughly enjoyed many series, especially Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Shamploo. Cyberpunk Edgerunners is a show about bounty hunters in a dismal/post-apocalyptic future where people are modifying their bodies with technology to become "better" and dreaming of getting out of their bleak existences. So it reminded me a lot of Blade Runner and also Judge Dredd.

I would watch this show again and again. Really enjoyed it.

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Disenchantment Season 4

Disenchantment Season 4 (Matt Groening, 2018-)

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Animation, Comedy, Middle Ages, Fantasy, Coming of Age, Adventure

Check out how I rated Season 1 and 2 & 3 here.

Season 4 Rating: CSS=6, CSS=5 / The Giggles

Scale F=3, Scale G=2, Scale H=1, Scale I=3, Scale J=2

    Favorite from Season 4 = "What to Expect When You're Expecting Parasites"

Well, season 4 of Disenchantment amplified my catchphrase from season 3 to: "What the hell is going on?" While I still enjoyed the randomness and quirky fun, I found that far too much was going on all the time. The subplots had subplots and the main thread of the story felt buried beneath all the over-the-top humor and weirdness. Again, Bean and her friends feel like they are just wandering around blindly in a confusing psychedelic rabbit hole. Everything just keeps getting curiouser and curiouser. I will watch the next season, if there is one, but I think this show is falling apart.

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Cobra Kai Season 5

Cobra Kai Season 5 (Various, 2022)

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Check out how I rated Season 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Rating: DSQ=9, SP=6 / Sweet Treat

Scale A=3, Scale B=3, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=3

Karate, Complex Relationships, Bullying, High School

I had high expectations for Cobra Kai Season 5, and I must say it was satisfying. Although I was a little disappointed in Miguel's search for his father subplot. It felt very short and too dramatic. Otherwise, though, the series sparkles. The addition of Chozen was definitely my favorite part. The dynamics really worked. And I felt that the joining together of both dojos forces to fight the greater evil worked well. Will this be it for the series? It certainly feels like it could be done, but they do leave a lot of things unsaid and just getting started--Johnny and Carmen's future? Robbie and Tory? And what about Chozen?

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Rock 'n' Roll High School

Rock 'n' Roll High School (Alan Arkush, 1979)

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Rating: Q=4, P=3 / Thanks But No Thanks

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=1

High School, Comedy, Rock 'n' Roll, Punk

I had never seen this cult classic until now, not sure why. This late-70s comedy features The Ramones...it's a silly and weird film full of tropes and stupid gags. The best part is the music. The story is unimportant and that shows. Entertaining, but not really for me. There are way better rock films and even better high school films. Glad I watched it once, though.

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Porky's

Porky's (Bob Clark, 1981)

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Rating: Q=4, P=2 / Thanks But No Thanks

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=1, Scale 4=1

High School, Comedy, 1950s, Coming of Age

I had never actually watched Porky's until just recently--the film was always on my radar since it is basically a Coming of Age film featuring a group of young males in high school. Well, I finally watched and I'm not surprised that I didn't think much of it. It's definitely a one-viewing film, for me. The jokes are not that funny, to me, and while the shenanigans that take place are all based on real-life events that happened in the early 1950s, something just doesn't feel right. Too much of the 1980s is leaking into the story and filming, maybe. Anyway, glad I watched but probably won't again.

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Prince of Foxes

Prince of Foxes (Henry King, 1949)

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Rating: Q=7, P=5 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Action, War/Intrigue, Renaissance

A beautiful film set in 1500 Italy--done completely on location at the sites of the story. What a feat! The acting here is wonderful and somewhat overlooked, I feel--Orson Welles, Tyrone Power, Wanda Hendrix, and Everett Sloane. All had great performances with such an inspiring background to work in. This story of man caught in the world of Cesare Borgia is intense and full of intrigue and wickedness and redemption. Worth watching!

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The Sea Hawk

The Sea Hawk (1940)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Action, Swashbuckling, War/Intrigue, Late Renaissance

I'm not sure how I managed to go for so long without having seen this classic film. I have always loved Errol Flynn and the dashing hero character of the late 1930s through WWII that he helped create and popularize. Captain Thorpe is the seafaring Robin Hood and he simply oozes charm. His crew all love him from the moment they meet him and would happily die for him. The sets in The Sea Hawk are incredible and stunning, especially today when so many action films rely on CGI. I loved the adventure and intrigue of this story, the acting, and the time period. An inspiring film.

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Thor: Love and Thunder

Thor: Love and Thunder (Taika Waititi, 2022)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Marvel, Superhero, Action, Adventure, Thriller, Horror, Science Fiction

What a hilariously strange and exuberant film. I loved it! Following in the footsteps of the huge success Thor: Ragnarok, this new episode in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a delight. Equal parts superhero, comedy, and thriller/horror, Thor: Love and Thunder is a true escape with something for everyone. Some action sequences felt refreshingly new and very comic book-esque. The humor is perfect. Of course, it could have used much more depth, but I've come to expect that with Marvel. Christian Bale as the God Butcher is magnificently creepy. I would place this in my top 10 Marvel films, for sure. It's definitely not as good as some of the other films (Ragnarok, etc.), but it was so much fun.

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Stranger Things Season 4

Stranger Things Season 4 (Matt and Ross Duffer)

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Rating: DSQ=12, SP=7 / Decadence

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=4, Scale D=4, Scale E=3

Retro, 1980s, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller

WOAH. Season 4 might be the best season of this amazing show yet. And there's still more to come?? I was impressed with all the seasons before this one, but 4 is totally mesmerizing. The writing is absolutely superb and there is tension through the roof because of all the subplots going on at once. Great new characters, creepy new realizations, amazing soundtrack. What more can you ask for?

Read my reviews of Season 1, Season 2, and Season 3.

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Peaky Blinders Season 6

Peaky Blinders Season 6 (Stephen Knight, 2013-2022)

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Season 6 Rating: DSQ=12, SP=8 / Obsession

Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=4, Scale D=4, Scale E=4

Gangster, Power, WWI aftermath, pre-WWII, Race, Class, Philosophical, Crime

Without a doubt, I can say that Peaky Blinders is the best drama show I've ever seen. It is so masterful and this final season of the show did not disappoint. The masterful script, acting, and camera-work are so captivating. I can't think of any show that makes me feel more immersed and tense and engaged. Sure, it is an intense show that has very violent and difficult moments that aren't for everyone. It is gangster through and through, but it also a show about political struggles and psychology as much as it is about family. Season 6 is a rush of tragedy and tension, death and Nazism looming on the horizon. But it ends somewhat unresolved, which I think is fitting. A little disappointment, but it makes sense. I've never liked a lead character more than Tommy Shelby. And I want more!! I heard rumors that there will be a movie and maybe more, even. Watching the Shelby family enter WWII would be so interesting.

Well done, Stephen Knight and company. You have made a masterpiece.

Here's how I rated seasons 1 & 2, 3 & 4, and 5.

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Licorice Pizza

Licorice Pizza (Paul Thomas Anderson, 2021)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

1970s, Comedy, Coming of Age

Licorice Pizza is a hilarious, meandering romp. I love stories that don't really have a plot, that are just views into the lives of people. I really like Gary--young, charming, and enterprising. And I like awkward, goofy Alana. It's fun to escape into their entrepreneurial world of the San Fernando valley in 1973, full of celebrities and trends and all walks of life. A very different kind of film for Paul Thomas Anderson, but still so great. Plus Bradley Cooper's cameo is magic and amazing.

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Obi-Wan Kenobi Season 1

Obi-Wan Kenobi, Season 1 (Deborah Chow, 2022)

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Rating: DSQ=9, SP=6 / Average Snack

Scale A=3, Scale B=3, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=3

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Star Wars Universe, Epic

I had a great time watching the first season of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Many critics have been writing extensively about the problems with logic and plot, the annoying shaky cam, the lack of anything truly new to the Star Wars world. And while I agree with much of the criticism, I also think it doesn't matter. Here's another Star Wars show and I love the Star Wars universe. I loved to see Obi-Wan a decade into the Empire--aged and depressed and disillusioned. And it was fun to watch him become re-energized and find his Jedi soul again. The connection he makes with Leia is lovely and feels so right. And his encounters with Darth Vader/Anakin also feel right. These two men are like father and son...while they claim to want to "end it all" and finish each other off over an over again, those are just words. It makes sense they'll do everything except actually kill each other. Reva/Third Sister was an interesting new character that I do feel didn't have enough development. I hope they'll do something more with her and reveal more of what happened that day of Order 66.

Overall, I liked this show. It's not as good as some Star Wars content, it doesn't really stand alone, but it is fun to watch if you love the universe and like some dramatic fantasy.

P.S. Can I please have an enopie? :)

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King Arthur

King Arthur (Antoine Fuqua, 2004)

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Rating: Q=4, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Dark Ages, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Based on Books

This take on the Arthur legend is interesting, but it falls short on many levels, for me. As a college student I was fortunate to have an entire seminar class devoted to Arthurian legend, so perhaps I have higher expectations. The acting and action was all good, but the story itself didn't grip me. I wasn't convinced that Arthur (and all his knights) wouldn't have spoken about freedom quite so assertively (and often) but I did appreciate his strong morals. Clive Owen doesn't exactly exude passion, though. Guinevere's character seemed forced. I didn't really like her as a political warrior. The knights all had such small roles, and that was disappointing. I wanted more depth, but this is really just a film with lots of fighting.

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The Incredible Hulk

The Incredible Hulk (Louis Leterrier, 2008)

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Rating: Q=5, P=3 / Thanks But No Thanks

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=1

Marvel, Action, Adventure, Science Fiction

I like Dr. Bruce Banner and the Incredible Hulk as an idea. I enjoy Mark Ruffalo's portrayals in all the MCU films and think he deserves a stand-alone film, for sure. So, I went back and watched the 2008 film starring Edward Norton as the big green guy...it's not a good film. It's OK and there are definitely moments that are fun to watch, but the story is boring and the acting is more than lacking. All the more reason to get a new film made with Mark Ruffalo! And let's have more of the science, please?

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Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (Sam Raimi, 2022)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Marvel, Superhero, Action, Adventure, Thriller, Horror, Science Fiction

I absolutely love Dr. Strange--the first Dr. Strange film is still my favorite of all MCU films. I love his character and Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal of him. So, I was very excited about this latest installment. It's a very fun film full of action, horror, and thrills with amazing special effects...but it has two major issues for me: 1) this film does not stand on its own very well. If you haven't seen WandaVision or at least know Wanda's stories from the comics, you'll probably be a bit confused. And then 2) I really don't like Wanda in this film. I didn't like her in any of her other appearances plus her role in this film is center stage and is darker and more evil that doesn't feel right. Her evil feels more like a selfish, out-of-control tantrum to me. A tantrum that could destroy universes? Well, Dr. Strange and the new America character makes up for it, to some degree. I still enjoyed it and might watch it again.

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WandaVision

WandaVision (Jac Schaeffer, 2021)

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Rating: DSQ=7, SP=4 / Average Snack

Scale A=3, Scale B=2, Scale C=2, Scale D=2, Scale E=2

I didn't jump right in with WandaVision when it was originally released because nothing about it seemed particularly intriguing, to me. Wanda is one of my least favorite Marvel characters and one that I think the MCU messed up. But WandaVision is an interesting show and has some good moments. From a film student's perspective it is novel and experimentational. I appreciate the different decades of television and how everything from Wanda's psyche is played out within those genres/themes. But...I just don't like Wanda. I can't sympathize with her, even though I know her background and often feel like I should, I dislike her mannerisms and voice, and her back storyline is filled with problems and feels convoluted. Vision is far more enjoyable to watch. I wish I liked this more, but I just didn't.

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Belfast

Belfast (Kenneth Brannagh, 2021)

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Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

1960's, Northern Ireland, Politics, Coming of Age, Memoir

What a beautiful memoir from Kenneth Brannagh. This is a film about childhood, about family, about the importance of place impacting your identity. It is also a film about violence and trauma and grappling with the hardest decision: stay in the place you know and love or be safe. I also loved how Brannagh showed the escape of the movie theater and how much those themes and stories of westerns stayed in the young Buddy's mind. Wonderful performances by Judi Dench and newcomer Jude Hill.

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Nightmare Alley

Nightmare Alley (Guillermo del Toro, 2022)

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Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

1930's-40's, Thriller, Psychological, Carnival

Guillermo del Toro has made an interesting adaptation of  Nightmare Alley, perhaps staying closer to the story of the novel, but somehow the film just didn't grab me like the classic film noir version from 1947. Perhaps it was because the slow burn was less convincing and the horror aspects pulled me away from the psychological madness. I wasn't as captivated by the setting nor by the acting. Nightmare Alley of 1947 felt succinct and complete--fully formed from start to finish, with subtle moments throughout signaling the mentalist's downfall. This version just feels bumpy (the story felt a little rushed and disjointed) and, at times, overdoing it. But the artistry was superb! And I did like the ending just a little better--so fitting. 

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The Northman

The Northman (Robert Eggers, 2022)

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Rating: Q=8, P=8 / Obsession

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=4

Action, Adventure, Vikings, Dark Ages, Based on Shakespeare

WOW. Robert Eggers has done something truly amazing. This is the most immersive and realistic film I've ever seen depicting the Dark Ages, and specifically the Vikings. Every moment of this film is both beautiful and disturbing. And finally a film that shows the reasons behind the violence--the culture, myth, rites and traditions. Yes, it is bloody and gruesome, but I felt like I understood why.

Such expansive and also intimate cinematography! The natural lighting is simply breathtaking--the glow of firelight in the great hall, the eerie moonlight in the forest, the sprays of lava. I've always thought that directors sometimes don't realize the enormous effect that lighting can have on their film. Eggers knew. Each scene feels so real. This is a film worth watching again for the artistry alone. But the acting and story makes it even more worthwhile.

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Nightmare Alley (1947)

Nightmare Alley (1947)

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Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

Film Noir, Carnival, Crime, Thriller

I can't believe I hadn't seen this film before--really? A film noir that escaped me when I was in film school? Well, I was compelled to watch this original before I saw the new remake that got so many award nominations.

This film wasn't a huge success at the time it was released but it has since become a classic. The lighting, editing, dialogue--all of it works so well at pushing you along and building up the suspense. Not a lot actually happens in this film--subtle things, slow build--but that works. At the end you are left with such a bittersweet and solemn feeling. A timeless story.

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Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (David Yates, 2022)

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Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Fantasy, Magic, Adventure, Complex Relationships

I truly enjoyed this film, but that should not be surprising based on how much I've enjoyed all the other films and stories in this universe. The first and second parts of this collection I think were much stronger and stand on their own better, but this one is still fun and answers more questions. At times, the urgency of Grindelwald's menace doesn't seem emphasized quite as much as it should be after what happened in part two, but the mysteriousness and back story of Albus Dumbledore makes up for it. That being said, this film doesn't make any sense without having seen the first two films. But the visuals and adventuring would probably still be exciting. The overall atmosphere here is somber. And I like that, given the nature of what's going on in the story. Mads Mikkelsen, Jude Law, and Eddie Redmayne are all so good.

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Oscar Dash 2022: The Results

And the winner is... CODA! I sure hope Will Smith's rage doesn't cloud the underdog win. I'm super excited to see this and all the other films I still haven't--got to get caught up. So much greatness.

10 Years Ago: Brit-Com Madness

I started this blog in December 2011--now ten years ago! It's hard to believe. I thought that this year I'd do some revisiting to posts I made during that first year. Here's another favorite- brit-com madness.

Originally posted on March 22, 2012:

SPECIAL: Brit-Com Madness

You know those crazy people out there who marathon TV shows and research the actors and writers and characters and any other interesting facts learned in the programs? Yeah, that's me. Give me a rainy day and my Northern Exposure DVDs any day... I love a dramatic/quirky miniseries, a good mystery, or any period series. But if I had to pick just one favorite "type" of television program, the answer is quite clear: British Comedy. I am mad for the BBC.

In fact, I'm so mad for comedies and laughter and British humor that I originally intended to study it for my masters degree. (I opted instead for dramatic coming-of-age foreign dramas)

 vs. ??

I first saw British Comedy when I was little, basically whatever was shown on PBS in the evening- Keeping Up Appearances, Are You Being Served, Fawlty Towers, and others. I remember seeing Monty Python's Flying Circus when I was 11 or 12 and wondering what it all meant. At that point, I knew it was funny but I just didn't know why. That same year (6th grade) I discovered a program created by John Cleese and Michael Palin that came before Monty Python called How To Irritate People. My dad bought the VHS tape and I watched that thing obsessively.

You can watch a favorite clip from the program here.

After that, I could not get enough. I started religiously watching The Red Green Show (Canadian, I know, but this is just my history) and soon after I entered the BBC void of no return by discovering Red Dwarf.

To me, Red Dwarf is the ultimate comedy show. It combines brilliant banter-style humor, hilarious and believable characters, science fiction fantasy narratives, the sitcom setup, and even some spoof and satire thrown in. If you haven't watched an episode, watch one right now.

Click here for a little taste.

Over the years I've come to enjoy countless other great BBC comedies. I've grouped my favorites by main humor style:

If you like humor that makes you cringe, where characters are social misfits with awkward behavior and get themselves into truly embarrassing situations:

Peep Show

If you like crude, insulting, and potentially offensive humor, sketch comedy style, not afraid to hold anything back jokes and situations:

Snuff Box

If you like the familiarity of the sitcom and/or observational comedy format- humor that is witty, silly, a clear narrative plot (with subplots), subtle jokes and timing:

Black Books

--Double Whoopee Rating

IT Crowd

--Double Whoopee Rating

If you like Improv/Panel Shows- humor that is completely unplanned, created by interaction and train-of-thought:

QI

--Double Whoopee Rating

If you like Sketch Comedy:

A Bit of Fry and Laurie

Kids In The Hall (Canadian again, I know, but it's worth putting here)

--Double Whoopee Rating

That Mitchell and Webb Look

If you like Surreal/Absurd Comedy- format that has narrative but takes a while to fully grasp, a world unto itself, ridiculous, satirical, pop culture, cult-like:

The Mighty Boosh

--Double Whoopee Rating

If you like spoof, satire, and mockumentary format- humor that is dark and intentionally poor quality:

Garth Marenghi's Dark Place

This list has something for everyone. Naturally, there are hundreds more -including, The Office, Jeeves and Wooster, Mr. Bean, the great dramedy, Doc Martin- but these are the ones I put on my shelf or "marathoned" after classes or during blizzards.

Now, go laugh.

The Batman

The Batman (Matt Reeves, 2022)

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Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Obession

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=4

Crime, Detective, Action, Horror, Gangster, Neo-Noir

Well, Matt Reeves did something I was not expecting--created the best Batman film ever. At least, in my opinion. This film was not a superhero action film. Not at all. The Batman is a detective horror film with a structure akin to Se7en or Chinatown. It had many neo-noir moments and even a few gangster sequences that were glorious. I could not stop watching the screen--what superb cinematography and artistry! Robert Pattinson delivers such a different kind of Bruce Wayne, it was refreshing. And Paul Dano's Riddler was shocking and disturbing and perfect. Will this film signal a new direction in blockbuster filmmaking? I don't know but I hope so.

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The Power of the Dog

The Power of the Dog (Jane Campion, 2021)

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Rating: Q=8, P=7 / Obsession

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=4, Scale 3=4, Scale 4=3

Western setting, Complex Relationships, Psychological, Thriller

Eerie, beautiful, depressing, and especially unnerving, The Power of the Dog is magnificent filmmaking that left me thinking about the story and its meanings for days after watching. In graduate school I studied coming of age and masculinity in film, so I was especially captivated by this story. The center and soul of The Power of the Dog is masculinity--what it is and was, what it should be or shouldn't be. It's also about change and loss, about the death of a certain way of life and a life that can't be authentic. Nothing is simple about these characters or their story. Who is good? Who is bad? Who is right? Who is wrong? It changes more than once. It also appears to be a Western, at first, but only because it is set in Montana on a ranch. It appears to be a romance, at times, but it certainly isn't. And the atmosphere and tension that builds throughout the film--aided by some absolutely brilliant score and cinematography--makes it a thriller without most of the usual thriller trappings. I love The Power of the Dog because it is complex, perhaps a bit confusing, deliberately ambiguous, and relentlessly unsettling. Just like humans and our societies. Powerful and captivating.

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The Book of Boba Fett Season 1

The Book of Boba Fett, Season 1 (Jon Favreau, 2021)

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Rating: DSQ=9, SP=8 / Sweet Treat

Scale A=3, Scale B=3, Scale C=3, Scale D=4, Scale E=4

Fantasy, Science Fiction, Star Wars Universe, Epic

Well, the much anticipated Book of Boba Fett was a delight, for me. I can see how many Star Wars fans might take issue to (or be downright annoyed by) some of the story and choices that Favreau made in this show, but I liked almost everything. Boba Fett is so enigmatic and his entrance in The Mandalorian season 2 was just so epic and his now sustained relationship with Fennec and Din is really fun to watch. I also thoroughly enjoyed the episodes that focused on Boba's complex relationship with the Tusken tribe that later became his family. So many questions answered, so many new ones asked...I love this about Favreau!

Some viewers did not like certain episodes or felt that others weren't really about Boba, but I understand this decision--the bigger picture--and think there is a lot more to build on and explore in future seasons...of multiple shows. Favorite episodes would have to be: "The Tribes of Tatooine" and "The Return of the Mandalorian."

--Don't understand the ratings? Click here

Oscar Dash 2022: The Nominations

It's that time of year again...Oscar Dash 2022! I am not determined to watch all the films before the big event on March 27, like I have been in the past. I still have films from last year I haven't watched. But I do hope to watch all of these eventually! I guess I've just been more interested in other genres and shows in these past few years. But, here are the nominees for best picture:

Belfast

CODA

Don't Look Up

Drive My Car

Dune

King Richard

Licorice Pizza

Nightmare Alley

The Power of the Dog

West Side Story